MALVERN's first ever Miss Worcestershire contest ended in controversy when it emerged that the winner, 21-year-old Rachel Davies, was from Stoke-on-Trent.

Although Miss Davies was not hiding her lack of Worcestershire connections when asked about it after the show, it had been noticeable on the night that while the compere made a point of saying where in the county the other nine contestants came from, she never mentioned Miss Davies' home town.

Miss Davies was certainly candid when she told reporter Sam Dansie, from our sister newspaper the Worcester News, that she probably wouldn't keep in contact with the other girls "because it takes ages to get here."

Paul da Silva, who organised Saturday night's event, told the Gazette he had rung Miss Davies the following morning to remind her the competition winner was expected to be an ambassador for the county.

He explained that Miss Davies had entered because there was no Miss England heat in her area this year and it was within the rules for girls to be able to enter anywhere in the country.

"From my point of view, I would like to have seen more Worcestershire girls entering," he said.

A Worcestershire girl born and bred came second, in the shape of Malvern's Laura Collins.

Taking part in her first ever beauty contest, the 21- year-old gave a confident performance and told the judges that if she won she would be proud to represent Malvern and Worcestershire.

A beauty therapy student at Malvern Hills College, Laura, who went to Somers Park Primary and Dyson Perrins High School, said her 10 GCSEs and three A'Levels proved she was no "dumb blonde".

"I really enjoyed it. It was great fun. Everybody got on well and there was no bitchiness," she said.

On Miss Davies' victory, she said: "She's a nice girl, fair play."

Miss Davies, who will take part in the Miss England finals in Liverpool in August, won £150 of clothes vouches and will have an Eddie Stobart truck named after her.

Mr da Silva was full of praise for the "superb venue" and helpful staff at Malvern Theatres and said he would love to return next year.

The show, held on a catwalk in The Forum, featured the girls in nightclub wear and evening dresses, each answering four questions about themselves, their ambitions and the county.

It also featured two outstanding singers in 13-year-old Chloe Barry, from Redditch, and Beth Harris, winner of the Worcester Chicago Rock Idol Contest, who certainly deserved a much bigger audience.